Month: November 2020

Written by Marc Guggenheim

Art by Adriana Melo; Mariah Benes; Andrew Dalhouse; & VC’s Joe Caramagna

Cover Art by Adriana Melo; Mariah Benes; & Chris Sotomayor

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for April 2010, this untitled standard-length issue is the mid-point of Jackpot’s solo three-part mini-series.  Teaming with Spider-Man, Sara “Jackpot” Ehret pounds on White Rabbit and her thug posse to acquire a sample of an illicit street elixir dubbed ‘Ebony.’  Working with Reed “Mr. Fantastic” Richards’ help, Sara deduces that ‘Ebony’ was first siphoned from the villainous Corruptor’s sweat glands.  Stalking Sara’s private life as a married mom, the merciless assassin Boomerang gets the go-ahead to eliminate the unsuspecting Ehrets.

REVIEW:

The art team’s visuals are definitely top-notch (including a great cover image).  For the most part, however, Jackpot isn’t a compelling character, which clearly hampers her story arc.  Writer Marc Guggenheim’s underwhelming plot twists do too little to alleviate this predicament.  A lengthy team-up sequence with Spider-Man, for instance, grows tiresome fast due to the heroes’ incessant chatter amidst battle.  Only White Rabbit’s few amusing quips interrupting their bantering serves as a respite.  Sara’s follow-up sequence with Mr. Fantastic is fine, but again it’s just ordinary Marvel material. 

The Rose-Boomerang scene discussing the ‘messy’ assassination of Sara’s family offers an appropriately ominous contrast.  The last few pages are déjà vu of DC’s Identity Crisis re: Captain Boomerang’s attack on Tim Drake’s father.  If Guggenheim had opted for a different assassin with a different trademark, perhaps this nasty sequence wouldn’t seem nearly as ‘copycat’-like. 

The Ehret family’s dinner table discussion re: Sara’s black eye also doesn’t score any charm points, either.  The last scene’s worst element is Guggenheim’s hedging of his bets by endangering Sara’s little girl as a shock value cliffhanger.  By resorting to such dirty tactics to keep readers tuned in, Guggenheim unwittingly reveals how meager Jackpot’s storyline actually is. 

As Marvel had initially teased (could ‘Jackpot’ really be Mary Jane Watson in disguise?), that dubious ‘Jackpot’ concept seems more appealing than what this Spider-spin-off delivers.  It says plenty that Marvel Comics shamelessly relies on Spider-Man’s name in the series title to attract an audience.  Accordingly, Sara Ehret’s Jackpot (with her peripheral resemblance to DC Comics’ Batwoman and, to a lesser extent, the original Black Canary) merits sporadic guest spots vs. prematurely headlining a forgettable solo venture.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The first page entitled “Bugle Girl,” is a combo of credits and a synopsis of Jackpot’s storyline to date.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             5 Stars

Written by Jen Van Meter

Art by Javier Pulido; Matt Hollingsworth; & VC’s Joe Caramagna

Cover Art by Amanda Conner & Christina Strain

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for December 2010, the concluding “Trophy Hunters, Part Four,” settles Felicia Hardy’s run-in with Kraven the Hunter’s family.  With help from her crew, the Black Cat infiltrates the Kravinoffs’ posh New York mansion to rescue her abducted mother.  She also alerts her smoldering adversaries as to their renegade butler Vasili’s ulterior agenda forcing Felicia to steal back family relics from their present-day owners.  Chaos ensues, as the Black Cat makes her escape. 

Yet, the conscientious Felicia tries setting a few loose ends amidst a new Kraven family hunt – among them, catching up with Spider-Man.   

REVIEW:

Capably answering DC Comics’ Catwoman, writer Jan Van Meter delivers an entertaining heist caper, with just the right balance of action and zippy, tongue-in-cheek humor.  Van Meter’s take on Felicia Hardy/Black Cat’s feisty heroism is refreshing, as far as playing out twists re: how Felicia will pull off her game plan.  The same applies to the ruthless Kravinoffs, as they make a well-chosen enemy pitted against Black Cat. 

In terms of visuals, Amanda Conner’s cover image stands out as the issue’s best.  The interior artwork is by no means spectacular, but it’s still more than sufficient for this storyline.  Overall, Black Cat # 4 is a fun, easy-to-digest read, suggesting that Felicia Hardy (particularly, with this creative team) could readily headline her own solo series.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Partially designed as a spoofy tabloid cover, the first page thoroughly summarizes this mini-series to date.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                7 Stars

Written by J.M. DeMatteis

Art by Don Perlin; Mike Esposito; Shelly Leferman; & George Roussos

Cover Art by (Credit Not Provided)

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for August 1982, this standard-length issue showcasing Devil-Slayer is entitled “Hunger …”  In the Negative Zone, Devil-Slayer (Eric Simon Payne) is tormented by a drug-addicted hippy’s tragic death that occurred in Defenders # 104. 

Dubbed ‘Sunshine,’ the hippy’s ghost accompanies Devil-Slayer back to Earth where he returns the favor by challenging a confused Payne’s need for alcohol.  Payne’s vengeful self-loathing sends him to California after his mobster ex-boss, Carl Boccino.  Again delaying suicide, Payne next visits his old friend Brian Kingston’s family.  Sunshine’s spirit guides Payne to Jerusalem to bring his personal journey full-circle.  Months later, Dr. Strange learns of the ex-Defender’s fate.             

Meanwhile, Nighthawk’s (Kyle Richmond) nurse, Luann Bloom, defiantly recoils from word of her client’s mysterious death (in Defenders # 106).  Another brief snippet glimpses Richmond’s still-living Squadron Supreme counterpart on an alternate Earth.      

REVIEW:

While writer J.M. DeMatteis’ last page (in the form of a handwritten letter) is a solid finale, the tale of Devil-Slayer’s inner demons is otherwise a melancholic bore.  Specifically, intermingling a gradual path to redemption within this deluded character’s self-involvement isn’t an entertaining read. 

For instance, a brief sequence of domestic battery between Devil-Slayer and his estranged wife, Cory, is disturbingly glossed over.  Per her religious faith, Cory is scripted as instantly forgiving her husband for a harsh facial slap without even a hint of remorse from Payne.  While Cory’s selflessness to help Payne is commendable, it also reiterates why anti-hero Devil-Slayer is an unlikable presence.  The art team’s work is okay for its time, but decent visuals won’t hide Defenders # 110 as a filler issue that doesn’t age well.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In addition to a “Defenders Dialogue” letters-and-answers column, there is Jim Shooter’s “Bullpen Bulletins” column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             3 Stars